The Fundamentals of Software Localization
in Life Sciences
Behind every global medical device or biotech breakthrough is a powerful software localization solution. When companies in life sciences expand globally, localized software solutions are essential for ensuring patient safety, meeting regulatory requirements, and improving user experience. However, effective software localization for global markets involves much more than translating the words patients and healthcare workers read.
To achieve comprehensive software localization, businesses must consider user interface (UI) design, local regulatory compliance, cultural nuances, and how software functions in different languages. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals for localizing software products in life sciences and offer insights on how to break barriers in global UI design.
The Role of Software Localization
Global expansion requires companies to adapt their software solutions to the linguistic, cultural, and legal demands of diverse regions. Localization in the life sciences industry isn’t just translating content into multiple languages—it’s about creating software that aligns with the regulatory and cultural expectations of each market.
Brandon VanArman, software engineer at Medtronic, highlighted in one of Vistatec’s recent Life Sciences – In Focus podcast episodes that software localization plays a critical role in making medical devices and software accessible and user-friendly across different regions. It has multiple complexities, such as handling space constraints in languages like German and managing right-to-left languages like Arabic.
With that in mind, it’s helpful to approach the process with a firm grasp of some best practices for localizing life sciences software products.
Fundamentals of Software Localization in Life Sciences
1. Start Localization Early in the Development Process
One common mistake that companies make is treating localization as an afterthought. When they integrate localization efforts from the beginning, businesses can avoid potentially costly reworks and improve user experience across all markets. Planning for localization during the design phase ensures that text, UI elements, and content are flexible enough to accommodate different languages and cultural nuances. Writing for translation also contributes towards smoother localization down the line.
At this point, it’s valuable to turn to the insights expert Sean Kinsell, Localization Program Senior Manager. Sean explains:
“This is also a good argument for developing use cases and user stories. Some territories regulate what a trial participant must be called or how certain data inputs are verified for submission. It’s a real headache to have to go back and fix those if your localization team only sees the app for the first time when it’s close to code freeze.”
By integrating localization into development from day one, companies can proactively address these challenges from the start.
2. Investigate Regulatory Requirements Thoroughly
Strict regulatory standards for life sciences software are in place worldwide. Regulatory bodies have stringent requirements for how software and devices should operate, and these can differ significantly. Precision and reliability are non-negotiables when handling sensitive patient data or giving medical advice.
Medical devices that rely on software for operation must ensure that localized versions meet local compliance standards, including data privacy laws like GDPR in the EU or HIPAA in the U.S. By working closely with regulatory teams as early as possible in the localization process, companies can avoid costly delays and ensure that their software is compliant from the start.
3. Adapt the User Interface (UI) for Global Audiences
The user interface is how users interact directly with the software, so a critical piece of this puzzle. A UI designed for a global audience must be flexible enough to support different languages. To accommodate these languages and multiple cultural preferences, UI elements such as menus, buttons, and icons should be designed with flexibility in mind. This might mean allowing for text expansion or ensuring that symbols and colors are appropriate for the target market.
Other considerations are date, time, and currency formats. These also vary widely between regions. When these elements aren’t localized correctly the result is often confusion and errors. Research has shown that users expect digital platforms to provide a familiar experience and that inconsistencies can negatively affect user satisfaction. As Sean Kinsell points out:
“Names, dates, and times are probably the most obvious giveaway when an app hasn’t been developed with a global audience in mind. If you can’t even get my name right in my own language, why should I trust you with my sensitive health data?”
4. Make Cultural Adaptation a Top Priority
Software localization also requires cultural adaptation. Different cultures have different expectations for how software should function and how content should be presented. For example, humor and idioms might work well in one market but offend users in another.
A critical part of cultural adaptation is understanding the visual and linguistic preferences of your target audience. For example, green often represents ideas like ‘correct’ or ‘safe’ in Western cultures, but it can symbolize sickness in some Asian cultures. Employing native testers or cultural experts for insights into local preferences is the most effective way to ensure local success and high acceptance. Vistatec has a vast array of such profiles to guarantee seamless cultural adaptation.
5. Get the Technology Right for Scalability
Scaling a localization program is a complex but manageable endeavor when you have the right tools. Reliable Machine Translation (MT) combined with human expertise significantly reduces time and workload while maintaining accuracy. Translation Management Systems (TMS) are also valuable for streamlining processes, operating multiple glossaries, and adding team members and external stakeholders for collaborative work.
The right set of tools and technologies allows life sciences companies to automate large volumes of content while ensuring that translations are accurate and culturally appropriate. Vistatec’s technology-agnostic approach means that we can adapt to any tech stack and deliver top-class localization solutions to our clients.
6. Optimize for Cross-Functional Teams
Relying on the expertise of cross-functional teams is vital when delivering software solutions with complex demands. This approach can reduce duplication of effort, save on resources, and speed up the whole process. Three suggestions for optimizing your strategy for cross-functional teams are:
- Implement Integrated Communication Platforms
Use centralized platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana for fast, real-time communication and project updates across departments. - Use Shared Metrics and Goals
Establish clear metrics and goals that reflect the needs of all departments involved. By having shared KPIs, cross-functional teams stay focused on common goals, which can reduce friction and streamline decision-making. - Carry Out Regular Cross-Functional Syncs
Schedule regular checkpoints. This agile approach ensures that localization efforts stay flexible and that each team’s expertise contributes to a unified end product.
Sean Kinsell offers his expert take on this matter:
“Get in touch with the managers of your information security, compliance, training, tech writing, and services teams. Ask how you can align with their strategies to help them succeed, and explain your localization strategy.
Your compliance team may not realize how robust your LQA process is; your services team may not know how you want queries routed. If you take the initiative to establish yourself as a generally reliable and useful partner, you find that a lot of the communication breakdowns that plague specific projects no longer happen, because you’re talking regularly and on one another’s radar.”
Moving Forward
Software localization is a critical enabler of life sciences innovation, compliance, and overall patient safety. As we have explored, the strategy must account for early planning, cultural adaptation, and a deep understanding of global regulatory standards. Localization is the backbone of global growth in this industry.
Vistatec specializes in helping life sciences companies navigate these complexities. Our blend of a technology-agnostic approach, cultural expertise, and proven processes ensures that your solutions are accurate, up-to-date, and resonant with users in every market. Contact us today to learn more about our tailored solutions and see how we can help you.